Luton suffer a first defeat of the campaign

Joel Pattison

Luton’s suffered their first Midlands Two East South defeat of the season as they lost 26-19 at home to Oadby Wyggestonians on Saturday.

Tries from Ben Murphy, Chris Davies and David Hamm weren’t enough to keep their 100 per cent win record in tact, as the visitors went in front early on with a converted try.

Luton hit back quickly as the visitors couldn’t stop some strong phases of play after a line-out five metre from the try line and eventually hooker Murphy was forced over the line.

Hamm converted well to pull the game level at 7-7.

Oadby missed a penalty to go ahead, although they regained the lead, moving 14-7 in front, as the visitors’ prop bundled over, the extras being added once more.

However, Luton fought back as Davies scored a brilliant try, receiving the ball on the right wing 22 metres out, embarking on a fantastic run wriggling around a number of Oadby backs and touching down.

Hamm once again made no mistake to level the scores at 14-14.

Fly half Hamm then put Luton into the lead as scrum half Dave Evans found his team-mate from the back of the ruck and Hamm’s diagonal run saw him dive over in the corner.

This time he failed to convert his own try, while Luton were then reduced to 14-men.

Oadby took full advantage as their forwards crashed over the line to make it 19-19.

The conversion was added, while Wyggestonians sealed victory with a try from five metres out.

Luton dropped down to third as they trail new leaders Oadby by three points and Market Harborough by one point with eight games gone.

They head to ninth placed Oakham this weekend, looking to bounce back with a win at the first attempt.